A Kelowna Cosmetic Dentistry Case Study – What We Can Learn From Margo

Her crowns were old and starting to wear down. Plus, the enamel on her un-crowned teeth had worn down from years of clenching and grinding.

What causes teeth grinding?

In Margo’s case, her bruxism was due to a malocclusion, also known as an unbalanced bite.
Her malocclusion was exacerbated by jaw joint problems as well.

Patients who have jaw joint problems – more commonly known as TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder – tend to suffer from jaw pain. In fact, the pain can become so bad that it results in migraines, neck pain, ear pain, and other symptoms.

When Margo came to me, I knew the first thing we needed to do was correct her bite.

My goal was to correct her bite with physiologic and neuromuscular principles. In other words, I wanted to achieve a balance between her teeth, jaw joints, and her facial muscles.

Doing this would result in less pain, less clenching and grinding, and less wear on her enamel and crowns. However in doing so, we would also be giving her the esthetics she so desired.

How did I correct her bite?

Basically, I “rebuilt” her bite with new crowns and veneers.

Not only do the new crowns and dental veneers look beautiful – resulting in a lovely smile – but Margo reports she no longer clenches or grinds her teeth. According to her, these cosmetic dental procedures were definitely worth the investment.

Do You Want a Beautiful Smile? Consider Cosmetic Dental Procedure

What kind of dental procedures might improve your smile? When you come into my office for a cosmetic dental consultation, I’ll discuss which treatments would work best for you.

The following procedures are some of the most common cosmetic treatments I utilize in my office – some of which I used to improve Margo’s dentition.

1. Dental Crowns

Crowns are commonly needed when a patient experiences cracked tooth syndrome. Once a tooth is cracked, it needs a crown on it to stabilize the crack, otherwise it will continue to progress – often resulting in a fracture.

I also use crowns to correct malocclusion. The crowns add height to the teeth, allowing me to provide an optimal bite for the patient.

2. Dental Veneers

Veneers are similar to crowns in that they cover the tooth. However, a veneer doesn’t cover the whole tooth. Rather, it is like a thin shell of porcelain that generally covers the front surface only.

Veneers are only fabricated to cover the front teeth. They are used to brighten the smile, especially if a patient has staining that doesn’t respond to bleaching efforts. Veneers can also fill in gaps in the teeth, or make misaligned teeth appear straight and have proven to be useful in covering over any chipping due to misalignment or trauma.

3. Tooth-Colored Fillings

Do you have old silver fillings? Many people aren’t crazy about the aesthetics of these fillings, and they can start to look worn out over time.

Would you like results like Margo’s? If you’re like many of my patients, the idea of a beautiful smile is an exciting prospect – and for good reason.

When you have a beautiful, bright smile, you’re more likely to show off those pearly whites because you feel so confident.

This is one of the things I love about providing cosmetic dentistry in Kelowna. I love seeing my patients compare their before and after pictures and beam with pride.

If you want to feel great about your smile, too, contact my office. We can figure out a treatment plan that’s ideal for your unique needs. Whether you want to brighten your smile or improve your bite – I can help.

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Dr. Shauna Palmer is a West Kelowna dentist providing general family dentistry, cosmetic dental treatment options, prevention & gum care, headache & jaw pain (TMJ/neuromuscular) solutions, and sleep apnea & snoring treatment options. The information provided on this website is not intended to serve as medical advice. An appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for any patient can be made only by a treating dentist or group of doctors. Health and Beauty Dentistry shall have no liability or responsibility to any person with respect to loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this website or obtained from other websites to which a visitor may connect and view.